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Cathedral City · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Cathedral City

Detached accessory structures must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from other buildings.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Detached accessory structures must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from other buildings.

Each rule below links to the section of the Cathedral City Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Cathedral City's code says

Cathedral City code What Cathedral City's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 10 feet above grade.
    Applies: For open, non-living structures such as play equipment, gazebos and arbors, set back as far as they are tall, at least 5 feet.
    § 9.80.020 · code text
    Open, non-habitable, structures, including, but not limited to, playground equipment, gazebos, arbors and trellises, are permitted with a maximum height of ten feet above grade if set back from property lines a distance equal to the structure's height, but no less than five feet.
  • Elevated platforms can be at most 5 feet high.
    Applies: For playground equipment and other structures with elevated platforms.
    § 9.80.020 · code text
    Playground equipment and other structures with elevated platforms are limited to a maximum platform height of five feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from a side or rear lot line.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures.
    § 9.80.020 · code text
    Detached accessory structures shall be at least five feet from a side or rear lot line.
  • Set back from property lines as far as the structure is tall, but at least 5 feet.
    Applies: For open, non-living structures such as playground equipment, gazebos, arbors and trellises.
    § 9.80.020 · code text
    Open, non-habitable, structures, including, but not limited to, playground equipment, gazebos, arbors and trellises, are permitted with a maximum height of ten feet above grade if set back from property lines a distance equal to the structure's height, but no less than five feet.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet from other buildings, including the main building.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures.
    § 9.80.020 · code text
    Detached accessory structures shall be at least ten feet from other buildings including the main building.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Cathedral City?

Detached accessory structures must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from other buildings.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Cathedral City property

Ask GoCodebook how Cathedral City's sheds, garages and other accessory structures rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Cathedral City Municipal Code — full text